Bobby Harrell now under SLED investigation

A spokesperson for the State Law Enforcement Division says the agency has assigned agents to investigate a complaint against state Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell.

Agency spokesperson Thom Berry says SLED opened the investigation based on a complaint from Ashley Landess and South Carolina Policy Council.

Weeks ago, Landess sent the complaint to Attorney General Alan Wilson's office, claiming "possible criminal violations" by Harrell. Wilson responded to the complaint by asking SLED to investigate.

Landess and John Crangle from Common Cause asked state investigators to review Harrell's use of almost $326,000 in campaign funds. This is money reimbursed to Harrell largely as travel expenses with much of it to cover costs of Harrell's use of his private plane.

WIS has asked to see Harrell's spending records on two separate occasions, but the Speaker has not made those records available to us yet.

SLED says they are "actively investigating" the case, but stopped short of saying how many agents are looking into the case and how long the investigation will take place.